Chapter 10: In Another Play

"Healing ability?" Ganju repeated what Hanataro had just said as they lay the unconscious Ichigo on the ground, back underground where they were safe. "You mean you don't used medicine or something for first aid?" he asked curiously.

"No, it's different with us," Hanataro smiled. "Other Shinigami's Reiatsu is mainly for combat use, but in the 4th Squad, healing ability comes with our Reiatsu," he explained as he switched a light on. "We can't do much else though," he added with a small laugh.

"I see," Ganju nodded. "So, how does Ichigo's condition look to you?" he asked as Hanataro knelt beside Ichigo, who's breathing was heavy and ragged.

"It's terrible," Hanataro admitted. "He took direct hits from a Lieutenant's Zanpakuto, so it's to be expected. Ordinarily, he would have died instantly. He has an unbelievable will to live," he commented. "I will heal him," Hanataro declared as he pulled his relief bag from his back. "Give me some time. I will heal him in one night," he declared, and looked up when Shinji sat down on Ichigo's other side.

"I can help," he told the boy, who stared at him, startled, for a moment, before a determined look shone in his eyes. It wasn't far from the looks Shinji had seen from both Kirara, and their brother, Seinsosuke. Hanataro nodded, and they began to focus as Natsuki and Ganju watched, curious, while keeping an eye out for anyone who might stumble across them.

Ichigo woke with a start, feeling a tightness around his stomach, and his eyes flew open.

"Oh, you're awake Ichigo," Hanataro smiled in relief.

"Hanataro..." Ichigo frowned. "I..."

"Please don't move," the boy requested. "Your wounds still haven't closed," he told him.

"Wounds?" Ichigo frowned, not understanding at first. "Oh yeah...I fought with Renji and-" his eyes widened and he sat up quickly, ignoring the pain.

"Thanks, Hanataro. I'm fine now," Ichigo forced himself to his feet, ignoring the healer's protests, only to come face-to-face with Shinji.

"I haven't been helping the kid heal your sorry ass, only for you to trash his good work," he told Ichigo, who glared weakly at him.

"Out of my way Shinji," the orange-haired Shinigami growled at him, already breathing harder from the small amount of movement. "Chad and the others don't know where Kirara is, I have to-"

"Go out there and collapse right in front of the Shinigami?" Shinji challenged him.

"Screw you, I'm-" Ichigo didn't get to finish as a fist slammed into his face, and a leg clipped his lower leg. Ichigo went down like a sack of bricks, and both Ganju and Natsuki shook their heads.

"Someone who goes down that quick ain't fine," Ganju smirked, cracking his knuckles.

"It's downright embarrassing," Natsuki nodded with a grin of her own.

"Ganju! Natsuki!" Hanataro groaned as he rushed over to Ichigo. "Now he's got another injury," he complained.

"I see you idiots are getting along," Shinji commented as he glanced to the pair.

"You really are too rough, you two," Hanataro complained as he dragged Ichigo back into the light.

"Oh shut up, we stopped him, didn't we?" Ganju rolled his eyes. "Don't bark complaints about how I did it," he told him.

"I know, but-" Hanataro stopped as something fell from Ichigo's trousers and landed with a clatter. "What is-" Hanataro stopped as he stared in alarm at the strange white Mask that had landed on the ground.

"Is that a Hollow Mask?" Natsuki approached, but Shinji moved in her way and lifted it, his eyes narrowed in an unreadable expression. "Hirako?" she frowned.

"Oi Shinji, what's that all about?" Ganju asked him as he moved closer too. The Mask had three red lines at the top, with a large crack down the centre.

"Is that what stopped those attacks from killing Ichigo?" Hanataro asked him curiously.

"It's nothing," Shinji told them sharply, his voice carrying the authority of the role he hadn't had in a century. The three, even Ganju, stood a little straighter at the tone. "Forget about it," he told them, staring at the Mask. Natsuki glanced to the other two, who looked as baffled as she felt.

Kirara rubbed her eyes and yawned widely as she looked out the window. Night had fallen some time ago, and silence had returned. Frowning to herself, she stood, and jumped down to the bottom, approaching the door.

"Hey, guards?" she called to the two she knew were standing right outside. "Can't you tell me even the slightest thing about what's going on out there?" she asked hopefully. There was quiet for a moment, before one spoke.

"We don't know much about it either, but...last we heard, Lieutenant Abarai was defeated in battle," Kirara's eyes widened in surprise.

"The Pineapple?" she whispered to herself, thinking of the powerful Lieutenant. "Ichigo...could you really have gotten that much stronger already?" Kirara wondered aloud.

"Let me go!" she hauled a young boy with bright red hair tied back into the air. For a moment, the red hair reminded her of Kenjiro, but when she got a good look at the boy who was squirming in her grasp, she knew he definitely wasn't related to the Shirobara family. His kimono, grey and threadbare, was made from a scratchy material Kirara knew was only worn by those in the Rukon. He was definitely not related to the noble family.

"Care to explain why you're trying to pickpocket a Lieutenant of the Gotei 13?" she asked, making his eyes widen as she held him in the air by the wrist, keeping him off his feet.

"I didn't do anything! Let me go!" he yelled.

"Kid, if you don't stop, then someone's going to notice. And then I'm going to have to explain what happened, and neither of us want that, do we?" Kirara raised her eyebrow, and the boy reluctantly stopped, glaring at her. "Oh, that's a good look kid, but unfortunately it doesn't work on me," she chuckled.

"What are you gonna do? Arrest me? Beat me up? Shinigami don't bother with pickpockets y'know," the boy huffed, and Kirara set him down gently.

"They do if it's a Shinigami you're trying to steal from," Kirara pointed out. "But, luckily for you, I'm on a leave of absence until I recover from my injuries," the boy's eyes widened when he noticed the still red scar protruding from the top of her kimono. "Here," he frowned when she suddenly dropped a small bag into his hand.

"What?" he frowned.

"I can sense your Reiatsu. You're hungry, so eat," Kirara rolled her eyes, looking bored.

"I don't need-"

"My what? My pity? You were going to steal from me regardless, better I give it to you willingly kid," Kirara rolled her eyes again as he gaped up at her. "Just be careful out here. This place is crawling from the higher ups of the Gotei 13," she warned, and the boy stared at her for another few moments before turning and sprinting off.

"Dammit," Kirara sighed as she backed away from the door. "It would have been better for everyone to leave me here," she turned and walked over to the wall, leaning against it and sliding to the ground. "Too many people have gotten hurt because of me. And if I somehow get out of here..." she whispered, her fists clenching as a pale blue flashed in her eyes. "There'll be hell to pay," she vowed.

'Hold onto your resolve, Kirara. We will get through this,' Kokoro no Kage promised her quietly.

Clutching papers to her chest and praying the wind didn't carry them away, the pink haired young woman walked through the Seireitei. On her way to the Squad 1 barracks, she enjoyed the pleasant morning sun, and the peace despite the events of the previous day.

While she was very unnerved about the invaders, as well as the war instructions given by the Captain-Commander, Asuka couldn't help but enjoy the morning, which was peaceful, for now. She wondered just where the Ryoka had been hiding, and how they'd managed to hide for as long as they had. Not to mention, that so many Shinigami had already been defeated by the strangers.

Asuka clutched her paperwork close to her chest, her thoughts causing her to enjoy the morning just a little less. The third seat sighed, shaking her head and scolding herself inwardly for being such a coward. She needed to be ready, for when the Ryoka reappeared.

A loud scream echoed through the Seireitei, making Asuka look around sharply. Her violet eyes scanned the area, before she started running in the direction it had come from. When she turned a corner, she spotted the small, young Lieutenant of Squad 5, who was staring up at something.

"Lieutenant Hinamori!"

"Momo!" the blond Lieutenant of Squad 3 called as he, along with several other Lieutenants, reached the girl at the same time as Asuka. "What happened? Momo?" Izuru asked, but Momo didn't respond, staring straight past him. Slowly, they followed her gaze, and all of them froze.

Blood ran down the blade of a Zanpakuto, dripping off to land in a puddle at the base of the tower, where the body of Captain Aizen now hung, impaled to the wall by his own sword with blood splattered around him.

"Cap...tain..." Asuka took a step back, her arms unable to hold the papers any longer. They scattered in the wind, as Izuru staggered back.

"That can't be," Rangiku, Lieutenant of Squad 10, breathed. "Captain Aizen?" she whispered. Momo finally seemed to breathe.

"Captain Aizen..." she stumbled forwards a few steps. "No..." tears ran down Momo's face as she held out her arms as if to reach out to the fallen Captain. "Captain Aizen!" her distressed scream echoed through the morning air. Nobody spoke, not knowing what to say or do at the scene.

"What's all this ruckus so early in the morning?" they looked around to see the silver haired Captain of Squad 3 approach. "Uh oh, this here's a serious incident," he commented mildly, as if he was discussing the weather.

"Was it you?!" they looked around in alarm as Momo screamed again, grabbing the handle of her Zanpakuto. With a furious screech, she rushed Ichimaru, drawing her blade, only for it to collide with another. Everyone stared as Kira blocked Momo from striking his Captain. "Izuru...why?" Momo breathed.

"I'm the Lieutenant of Squad 3," he reminded her, his eyes cold. "No matter what the reason, I won't permit anyone to point a sword at the Captain," Izuru told his friend. Momo's tear-filled eyes narrowed as she felt betrayed by her friend from the Academy, while Ichimaru continued to smile behind him. He then turned and walked away, and Momo screeched again. She went to move around Izuru, who blocked her again, shaking his head.

"I'm begging you, get out of the way Izuru," Momo pleaded with him.

"I can't do that," he shook his head.

"Move!"

"I'm telling you I can't!" Izuru raised his voice.

"Don't you hear me telling you to move?!" Momo screamed at him.

"Don't you hear me telling you to stop?!" Izuru yelled back. Momo's eyes narrowed again, tears still spilling down her face.

"Snap, Tobiyume!" there was a loud explosion that rocked the bridge, kicking up a cloud of smoke. As it cleared, Izuru was revealed to have been pushed back, looking singed.

"Lieutenant Hinamori, please, stop this!" Asuka pleaded with her as Izuru got to his feet. With another scream, Momo fired another, which curved away from Ichimaru and hit a building instead.

"Fine. If this is how it must be, I will treat you as an enemy," Izuru told her. He leapt into the air, and his Reiatsu flared. "Raise your head, Wabisuke!" Izuru released his Zanpakuto, but as Momo went to counter, a figure intercepted, blocking their swords.

"Neither of you move," the boy-Captain of Squad 10 ordered.

"Toshiro..." Momo stared at her childhood friend.

"Arrest them both," Hitsugaya ordered.

"Toshiro!" Momo's voice grew more desperate as Iba and Rangiku restrained her. Shuuhei grabbed Izuru, holding him back as well.

"Hinamori!" he snapped at her. "Is this the time to be fighting each other with swords?! Shouldn't our first priority be taking Captain Aizen down from there?" he asked, and Momo inhaled sharply. "I'll make the report to the Captain-Commander. Put these two in detention," the Captain ordered. Asuka dared to look up at the fallen Captain again, and bile lodged in her throat.

"Was it...the Ryoka?" her question made them all pause, and Momo's head lifted.

"Her...that...that prisoner..." Momo's voice was a quiet murmur, and as Rangiku and Iba glanced to her, she suddenly broke loose. With a furious scream, she launched herself away before they could stop her.

Kirara was snapped awake by the screams and the explosion that followed, blinking rapidly. She rubbed her eyes, and stretched, wondering just what had happened now. She wondered just how long she had slept as well. If it wasn't for the meals they gave her twice a day, she'd never keep track. Kirara did find it funny that they fed her, when they planned on executing her anyway.

"Guess they don't want me dying of starvation before they get their flashy death scene," she yawned, and cracked her neck. It was getting harder to remember just how long she'd been there, and how long she had left before the execution. She was looking forward to seeing more than just a small piece of the Seireitei through the narrow window.

Hearing cries outside, she frowned, wondering just what was going on, before the door opened and the morning sunlight streamed in. Kirara flinched, shielding her eyes, and found a small figure standing in front of her, a sword drawn. "Um...who are you?" Kirara frowned as she lowered her hands to her sides. The girl was quite young, with her dark hair tied up in a bun, and her brown eyes were filled with hatred. Kirara didn't move, watching her carefully as she took in her tear-stained face.

"You did it..." Momo breathed raggedly, staring at Kirara.

"Did what?" Kirara asked her softly. "In case you've not realised, I've been stuck in this tower for the last while," she reminded the girl.

"He said you were dangerous, that you're a monster," Kirara's eyes widened at the vicious words coming from the mouth of the Lieutenant. "And that you were smart enough to get away with anything," Momo spat, shaking in her fury and sorrow. Kirara then noticed the Lieutenant's badge attached to her arm, and swallowed.

"Sosuke told you that?" Kirara quickly realised this was the wrong thing to say.

"You killed him!" Momo shrieked, rushing at her. "Snap, Tobiyume!" Kirara wasn't expecting the fireball to be flung from her Zanpakuto, and it clipped her shoulder as she tried to dodge it. "You murdered my Captain with his own Zanpakuto! I'll kill you!" Momo screamed as Kirara dodged her swings, and caught the handle of her Zanpakuto. She struggled with her strength, before she was forced to let go and move. Kirara bit back a cry as the blade cut into her side, and she crashed to the ground.

"Look, I have no idea what you're talking about, so stop this!" Kirara shouted as she pushed herself up, dodging another swing.

"Those Ryoka hurt Renji and now he's been arrested, and now Captain Aizen is..." Momo choked on the word.

"Dammit Sosuke, what the hell have you done?" Kirara whispered, before rushing Momo. The girl let out another scream and threw another fireball at her, but Kirara was ready for her, dodging it easily. She disarmed Momo in several precise moves, and the Zanpakuto clattered across the stone floor. Momo screamed again and lashed out, but she was no Hakuda master.

"Momo!" Kirara looked up in time for a strike to throw her into the wall hard enough that she felt her rib crack, and she sank to the ground with a whimper. She looked up, blood running from a head injury, to see Captain Hitsugaya holding up the unconscious Lieutenant. "Wait...you just..." he frowned, realising that Momo had no injuries. He looked at Kirara sharply, staring at the woman who was staring back with the look of a cornered animal.

"Just take her and get out," Kirara pulled her legs in close, wincing as it pulled at her injuries, and buried her face in her knees, refusing to look at him. Hitsugaya stared at her for a moment longer, before pulling Momo into his arms and standing properly.

"Captain Hitsugaya!" more guards arrived, and froze at the sight.

"Get the relief squad in there to tend to her injuries," he ordered.

"Y-yes sir!" they stammered, dispersing quickly. The boy-Captain took another look at Kirara, before leaving, making sure to take Momo's sword with him. As the door shut behind him, Kirara lifted her head. Tears swam in her eyes, before she started to laugh.

"Damn, I really could have killed them," Kirara sighed, shaking her head.

So shit's really getting real now...

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